November is recognized as Native American Heritage Month at the University of Minnesota, Crookston. A number of events are taking place beginning on Friday, Nov. 16 and running through Tuesday, Nov. 20. As part of the recognition, a display will be featured in the Library and Bookstore windows for viewing from Nov. 17-30.

The events are sponsored by the Office of Diversity & Multicultural Programs, in collaboration with the Circle of Nations Indigenous Association (CNIA), University of Minnesota Extension, the Early Childhood Education Club, the Multicultural International Club, and Sodexo Dining Services.

The public is invited to attend all of the events taking place on campus:

• On Friday from 5-7 p.m., as part of International Education Week, students in CNIA and the Multicultural International Club will be sponsoring an International Carnival for Kids with games in Bede Ballroom led by students from CNIA. The evening is geared toward families with children ages 10 and under and is free for everyone.

• On Nov. 19, a traditional Native meal will be served in Brown Dining Room from 10:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. Sponsored by CNIA and co-sponsored by Dining Services, Diversity & Multicultural Services, and U of M Extension. The public is invited to attend and cost for the meal is $7.65 per person.

• Also on Nov. 19, at 7 p.m. a presentation of the "The Circle of Life, Sacred Medicines and a Celebration of Animals" will be conducted by JT Shining Oneside from the Turtle Mountain Community College/YouthBuild in Turtle Mountain, N.D. Her family-orientated presentation will be of interest for school-aged children.

• On Nov. 20, Bill Paulson will be on campus to present "Thanksgiving: A Native's Perspective...History, Hope, and Healing." Attendees are encouraged to bring their own brown bag lunch or purchase a traditional Thanksgiving meal Brown Dining Room for $7.65. His presentation will take place in Bede Ballroom, Sargeant Student Center.

• Concluding the events on Nov. 20, at 7 p.m., will be "Rivers Edge: An Evening of Native Song, Dance and Music", in Kiehle Auditorium. Highlights include a parade of native regalia, the significance of Native designs/patterns, and story-telling.

Rachel Quale, vice president of the CNIA at the U of M, Crookston, says that this is a month for both education and creating awareness. "The CNIA started on campus four years ago, but in the past two years, we have become increasingly active," Quale says. "We are using November to create a greater awareness of the club, which is open to all students, and even more importantly, to heighten everyone's consciousness of the great legacy of the Native people."

Page 2 of 2 - Quale, a senior from St. Cloud, Minn., is an equine science major on the Crookston campus.